Deadline to file for Lubbock races nears

Those who want a place on the ballot for city races have a day before the deadline to file.

So far, only two of the five races are contested.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. Monday to toss their hat into the ring, but the races have seemed fairly clear since the filing period opened at the beginning of February.

Only the City Council District 4 and mayoral races have more than one candidate. Districts 2 and 6 have only one filer, as does the municipal court judge race.

City elections are scheduled for May 12.

"You never know what will happen until the deadline is over," Mayor Tom Martin said. "There's no way to predict that. Right now it's kind of looking that way, but you never know. Usually there's always last-minute filers on everything."

Martin is running against businessman Glen Robertson, who is a former Ransom Canyon alderman and lost by 10 votes in the District 1 race to Victor Hernandez in 2010.

Robertson and Martin said their respective campaigns should step up as the election date draws nearer. Robertson said he is expecting it to remain a two-man race.

"We're paying attention (to the deadline)," he said. "We're not even hearing rumors; usually at this point if there's someone else out there thinking of running, you're at least hearing rumors."

Ideally, Gerlt said, he wants to keep it a two-man race, although he is prepared for the potential for another challenger.

"It could potentially throw it into a runoff; I think that's probably the biggest thing," said Gerlt, who is seeking office for the first time. "It would just require longer to get the issues settled; we would have to raise more money and extend the voting period."

Gerlt is calling for stronger leadership in District 4.

Beane, a one-term incumbent, believes his track record speaks for itself.

"If the two candidates that are in the race right now, myself and Rev. Gerlt, are the only two, then I would ask the voters to look at my body of work and look at my voting record and look at the accomplishments in District 4," Beane said. "And then if they want somebody prettier, well, I'll understand."

Floyd Price, District 2 representative and mayor pro tem, faces no competition; neither does former Avalanche-Journal Editor Randy Sanders, who is running for District 6.

Current District 6 representative Jim Gilbreath is not seeking re-election.

Municipal Court Judge Robert Doty also faces no challenger.

Sanders said he is running his campaign as if he will have an opponent come Monday night.

"We have some signs up, have got some artwork at the printers, so if I do get an opponent, I will call (the printers) Tuesday and crank it up," Sanders said, "and if I don't get an opponent, I'm looking forward to being able to return to my contributors."

To comment on this story:

thomas.magelssen@lubbockonline.com • 766-8723

leesha.faulkner@lubbockonline.com • 766-8706

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